'Everyone will want to beat us': Swans stay positive

BUCKETS of sweat were shed as the Lismore Swans men's and women's team went through their first session of pre-season training.

At Nesbitt Oval in South Lismore, the players went through an intense round of warm-ups, drills, practising kicking, marking and tackling and then a much-needed cool down.

In between trainers passed around water-bottles and watermelon slices as players took advantage to rest their weary muscles.

At one end of the oval, women's coach Carl Merrison welcomed several new players to the team.

Merrison also held a recap of the team's winning grand final moves, manoeuvres and strategies, while the players took a moment to catch their breath.

"I'm really proud of the players and we have a great season ahead," he said.

Lismore Swan's women coach:

"There's plenty more room for new players so come down and join us."

Captain Laura Small said the team is excited by the three new women who attended the training session.

"It's going to be a tough year as everyone will want to beat us," she said.

Across the oval, after a warm-up, some drills involving passing and hand-balling, the Swan's men's Joey Mitchell called the players together for a briefing on how the team was going to focus their play for the 2018 season.

After making it through to the first round of finals, the Swans who had suffered from lack of numbers and injury were out.

Lismore Swans men's captain:

However, Mitchell's obvious passion for the game and his absolute belief the Swans can achieve a fantastic result through more training, focus and determination, means things will be different this year.